Week 9 of the UB Bulls Weekly Pick 'Em Game - Well I'll be a Monkey's Uncle-Bulls are favored!

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle. UB is a three and a half point favorite at home this week. Up from a starting line at three. Over/Under is 55.5!

Some confusion on what happens when a spread moves. In order to guarantee a profit for the house, a bookie needs to create even action on both sides of a particular game. In a perfect world the bookie would have 50 percent of the handle come in on the underdog and 50 percent on the favorite. This ensures that the sports books are guaranteed a profit because of the 10 percent commission or "vigorish" charged on most sports wagers. This is why there is "movement" on the point spread. If one side on a game is being bet more heavily, the bookie must move the number in order to attract interest on the other side in order to balance action. You have been schooled. I hope that I am not creating a betting junkie.

Miami (Ohio) is a team that many had just written off. Typical Miami and then BAM! They proved in a 23-20 victory over previously unbeaten ranked #23 Ohio, they have the ability to compete with anybody.

Miami can still be a major player in the MAC East race with an upcoming game against MAC East Leader Kent State. Kent is 4 – 0 but Miami is 3 – 1. We all know about Miami’s BMOC Zac Dyset but do not sleep on Miami’s D. This past weekend gave up 464 yards but held the Bobcats managing to go only 4-15 on third down. Miami was out gained last week by 40 yards and the run game was non-existent. If the weather men are right, then the weather should not be much of a factor like this past Saturday. Rain is to subside by Friday and be sunny and mid 40’s. I was hoping for another wet windy day. If that happens, I see Buffalo winning this game actually pretty easily. Come on Sandy, stay in Buffalo until Saturday night! I will throw chicken wings and beer in the air for you!

UB and Miami are not that far apart and with Zac leaving for greener pastures next year Miami is taking a huge hit. For Miami, it is put up or shut up right now. I expect a good game. Buffalo is getting healthy. Let’s see who the QB is. Mr. Broken Record, put in Licata and let him play the rest of the season. Z could be a great TE! Make this O truly hard to stop.

Miami has owned UB. Buffalo has beaten Miami only two times in the 13 game history. Buffalo has lost the past two meeting. The last time Buffalo beat Miami was in 2009, 42 – 16. The Miami game I will always remember was the election night game. Miami in Red and Buffalo in Blue. Drew Willy setting UB records and my friends around the country needing a sports fix texting me during the game. Felt great that night to be a UB fan.

For the first time ever I was wowed to have two picks in before I even had the thread up. Thank you for buoying my spirits with your enthusiasm Verandaman and BC Bull. Weareub46 also got his pick in early this week. 14 picks trickling in, UB taking 9 of them! Combined picks showing this game as very close at 26 - 26 (I would call that close.) The line has stayed steady at 3.5 and an over/under of 55. Thought it may change with the news of the QB changeroo!